(Ecofin Agency) - The Moroccan Ministry for Housing confirmed in its latest statistics the drop in cement sales on the Moroccan market during the first quarter 2015. According to this ministry, only 1,164,837 metric tons of cement was sold in June 2015 against 1,242,725 metric tons during the same period last year, a decline of 6.27%. The total sales volume of cement for the first half of the year is 7,337,136 metric tons and also registers a decline of 1.32%.

The sector is suffering from a difficult situation, marked by a drop in the demand, this in turn linked to the challenges being experienced by the real estate business in Morocco. The second quarter had started rather well though, with an increase in sales of 3.38% for April. But it is important to note that it is the general economy of the country which registered a slowdown in 2014, based on recent indications from the Moroccan Central Bank.

On the Casablanca stock market, where the three players of this sector are listed, (Ciments du Maroc, Lafarge Maroc et Holcim Maroc), they put up a good performance with slight differences. Ciments du Maroc ended the 8^th July trading day with an increase of 1.58%. This gives the company an increase in the stock market value of their shares of +29.15%, since 1^st January 2015.

Lafarge Ciments progressed by 0.10% while Holcim Maroc was stable. For both, the investors’ orders were mainly for selling. Lafarge registered an increase of +15.74% since the beginning of the year and Holcim Maroc, +15.55%.

For some analysts, the stability observed in this sector is explained by the fact that construction continues in Morocco, due to the deficit in housing still experienced by the kingdom.